A new recording attributed to Osama bin Laden is offering rewards in gold for killing top American and United Nations officials or citizens of any country which has troops in Iraq.
The 20-minute audio message, posted on two Islamist websites, promised 10kg (22lb) of gold for the death of Paul Bremer, the US administrator in Iraq, Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general, or Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN envoy to Iraq. At current gold prices, the reward would be worth around £70,000.
The speaker also offered a kilo of gold for killing a soldier or civilian from countries which are ”possessors of the [UN security council] veto such as the Americans or Britons”, and 500 grams for killing citizens of US allies, such as Japan or Italy.
”Due to the security situation, rewards will be handed over at the first possible opportunity,” the voice said.
The voice sounded like that of bin Laden but its authenticity could not immediately be verified. The CIA said analysis showed the recording was ”likely” the voice of Bin Laden.
The recording was posted on the websites of Ansar al-Islam Forum and the Islamic Research Centre, which are regarded as clearing houses for statements by al-Qaida and other Islamic militant groups.
Al-Qaida has not previously advertised rewards for those who carry out attacks, preferring to claim that such killings are a religious duty.
The gold amounts to far less than the $50m (£28m) offered by the US for information leading to the capture or killing of Bin Laden.
The speaker also denounced US plans to hand sovereignty to Iraqis on June 30, calling them a trick to end the resistance that has killed hundreds of US soldiers.
”There is no sovereignty for Iraq as long as a crusader soldier remains in its land, and no sovereignty for Iraq as long as it is not ruled by Islam,” the voice said.
The speaker urged Iraqis to fight a holy war against their US-appointed governing council and threatened any Iraqis helping the US-led coalition.
”Whoever helps the infidels against Muslims, or helps the occupying forces and whatever is affiliated to them – such as the transitional or permanent government – is committing a violation to Islam,” he said, warning of consequences including ”spilling blood, taking his money, separating him from his wife.”
The threats spurred Interpol to call on security forces around the world to take extraordinary measures to help ensure the safety of UN staff.
”The world’s governments and Interpol must make protecting the UN and its officials one of our highest priorities,” Interpol’s secretary general, Ronald Noble, said. – Guardian Unlimited Â